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But building such a program will be challenging if you don't personally embrace a philosophy of inclusion. Unless you truly believe in the value of inclusion across every experience, you are bound to get stuck in notions such as, "Having her there takes something away from the other teens," or, "They shouldn't always have to look out for him." Until teen educators embrace the value of inclusion and recognize that an inclusive community is a stronger community for everyone, such fallacies will persist.

A true highlight of my work as a Jewish Educator is leading experiences with teens.I have relished each opportunity to teach, guide, mentor, counsel and support this age group for
over twenty years. And I am exceptionally proud of the unique model we have built in our congregation.We have created a structure
that affords all students, regardless of ability or need, the opportunity to
participate fully. Including overnight experiences. And it works.

Synagogues across North
America lament a significant decrease in engagement with Jewish life
post-bar and bat mitzvah,
but when you ensure that any post b’nei mitzvah program is fully inclusive, you maximize opportunities to continue learning, growing and engaging with Jewish
life experiences.Further, there is opportunity to socially engineer relationships between teens every step of the way, thereby maximizing their potential for developing strong Jewish
friendships.

Professor
Steven M. Cohen of HUC-JIR states, “Jewish educators should have an explicit mission to bestow Jewish
friendship networks on children and adults who are increasingly unlikely to
find them on their own.”

Inclusive teen experiences are possible. Teens with disabilities are entitled to the same Jewish opportunities that their peers experience.

Contact me to learn more about how to build an inclusive teen community.

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As an award-winning Jewish Educator, Disability Inclusion Expert, Speaker, Coach and Facilitator of workshops & trainings, I offer professional coaching & expertise to develop inclusive practices and programs for a variety of organizations and schools. Contact me for a wide variety of speaking topics and workshops for professionals, lay leaders, teachers, parents and teens.

It’s more that I hadn’t quite figured out how to put what I
want to say into words.

February was, once again, Jewish Disability Awareness and
Inclusion Month. It remains, in its tenth year, an opportunity to raise up an
issue that matters and spur to action those who might otherwise remain inert. But
as the month drew to a close, we lost one of our own. We lost an incredible
woman, teacher, friend, and rabbi, one so deeply committed to the inclusion of
people with disabilities in our Jewish world and in all aspects of society. On
February 26, Rabbi Lynne Landsberg lost a struggle with cancer at the age of
66.

As an award-winning Jewish Educator, Disability Inclusion Expert, Speaker, Coach and Facilitator of workshops & trainings, I offer professional coaching & expertise to develop inclusive practices and programs for a variety of organizations and schools. Contact me for a wide variety of speaking topics and workshops for professionals, lay leaders, teachers, parents and teens.

Meet Lisa

As an award-winning Jewish Educator, Disability Inclusion Expert, Speaker, Coach and Facilitator of workshops & trainings, I offer professional coaching & expertise to develop inclusive practices and programs for a variety of organizations and schools. Contact me for a wide variety of speaking topics and workshops for professionals, lay leaders, teachers, parents and teens.

Testimonials

"I just stumbled upon your blog this evening through Pinterest, and I have to say that I love your writing, especially about inclusion. I am not Jewish, I am Christian, and yet we have so much in common that reading your blog made me emotional. I love your statement about how you believe all should be included because we are all made in the image of God. Such a beautiful reminder and so very true." Sheri Dacon